The Omicron variant has been derailing a lot of things in life lately, from restaurants to social events, and the hockey world is no exception. Talk to Jan Mysak.
The Canadiens’ prospect approached the World Junior Championships in an enviable role: that of captain of the Czech Republic. He finally had time to play two games before the tournament was called off due to outbreaks among the teams.
Mysak is scheduled to jump on the plane Friday morning to reunite with his junior club, the Hamilton Bulldogs. But their game scheduled for Friday night is canceled, due to COVID-19 cases at the Barrie Colts.
This is without forgetting the Habs, who have their own challenges – 12 players on the team are registered with the protocol governing COVID-19. As the CH also has a host of injuries, Mysak is technically three absent attackers close to being able to play! Brandon Baddock (reservist), Cam Hillis (reserve squad) and Jean-Sébastien Dea (Laval) are the only healthy forwards in the organization, with an NHL contract, who did not play Thursday night against the Hurricanes.
So, does he start to nervously glance at his phone in hopes of the most unlikely of reminders?
“No, I don’t really think about it, and I don’t think they will call me back,” Mysak confides candidly in a telephone interview. “I think they will be correct.
“But I watch the Canadiens games on television with my friends. I’m keeping a closer eye on the guys I played with the Rocket last year. In the last game, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard scored his first goal, and I was really happy for him! He’s a great guy and a great teammate. ”
Disappointed for others
It is from Edmonton that Mysak is speaking to us on this Thursday noon, while waiting for his flight the next day.
The Canadiens’ 2020 second-round pick is realistic: he didn’t expect to stay in Alberta until the very end of the World Junior Championships. His team fell with dignity 6-3 to Canada, not without taking a 3-1 lead in the first period. The Czechs then lost 2-1 to Germany, a match in which Mysak scored his side’s only goal.
“I think we could have reached the quarter-finals,” he said.
He was deeply disappointed with the tournament’s cancellation after just two games, although he suspected what was to come. The Czech Republic was one of the countries with at least one positive case in its ranks; his match on Wednesday, against Finland, had also been canceled a few hours before the tournament was canceled.
“I always get up early on match days. I got up early for our duel against Finland. At 6 a.m., we received a message warning us that there was a positive test in the team and that the game was canceled. I thought it was out of my control, but that I was going to prepare for the next day against Austria. After lunch, we were called to an emergency meeting. Our general manager told us that the tournament was over. It was disappointing for everyone. It was completely silent, no one was speaking. ”
Mysak was disappointed, but he was even more so for his teammates as he was in his third World Juniors. He lived the 2021 edition behind closed doors, but above all, that of 2020, at his home, in the Czech Republic.
“Honestly, I was very lucky to experience the tournament at home,” said the forward. The arena was full, there were 12,000 spectators. It was a great experience. Last year, we played in front of empty stands. I feel bad for those who haven’t had the chance to play in front of crowds. It’s so beautiful, it’s different. ”
Uncertain continuation
Theoretically, Mysak’s season will therefore continue in the Ontario Junior League (OHL). For now, the circuit is maintaining its activities, but note that its Quebec equivalent – the QMJHL – has suspended its until mid-January.
Mysak and the Bulldogs will want to make some progress in the playoffs. They are fifth in the OHL (out of 20 teams) with a .643 (16-8-4) record.
As with the Czechs, Mysak is part of the Bulldogs leadership group, as assistant captain, Colton Kammerer. The young man spoke in adequate English, but he was still hesitant at times. Now that he has had an experience as a captain with his compatriots, he sees the difference between leadership in his mother tongue and that in his second language.
“The culture and mentalities are different in Canada, the language too, of course. It’s easier for me to talk to my Czech teammates, because I know where they come from, where they’ve been, I know their culture. But that’s okay, I’m trying to stay in Hamilton myself. It’s the best way to be a leader. ”